Refuse bins



E. J. CLERK REFUSE BINS June 17, 1969 Sheet Filed Aug. 15, 1966 FIG]June 17, 1969 Filed Aug. 15, 1966 Sheet 3 of 2 E. J. CLERK 3,450,297

REFUSE BINS United States Patent US. Cl. 220-36 14 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE A pedal mechanism for a refuse bin having a pull roddetachably connected at one end to a pedal which is pivotally mounted onthe refuse bin, and at the other end to a closure lid for the refusebin, so that the closure lid can be raised to and from the closureposition by the pivotable movement of the pedal.

The present invention relates to portable containers for refuse such asdustbins and the smaller forms of container for indoor use, thecontainers being referred to generally in the present specification, asrefuse bins.

The larger forms of refuse containers such as dustbins have a closurelid which can be lifted and replaced by hand. However, the smaller formsof refuse bins for indoor use have a closure lid which is movable fromthe closed position to the open position by actuation of a pedal by thefoot of the user, the closure lid returning automatically to the closedposition when the pedal is released. Refuse bins of this particular kindas now constructed have the pedal mechanism permanently attachedthereto. Thus it is general practice for such bins to incorporate aninner container for the refuse, the inner container being removablydisposed within an outer casing to which the closure lid and pedalmechanism are permanently attached. With this construction the innercontainer for the refuse can be removed for emptying without thenecessity of transporting the bin as a whole.

The present invention has for an object to provide a pedal mechanism foruse in conjunction with a refuse bin for effecting mechanically theoperation of the closure lid, the pedal mechanism being readilyseparable from the refuse bin so that the refuse bin can be transportedwithout the pedal mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refuse bin incombination with pedal mechanism for effecting the mechanical operationof the closure lid.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a refuse bin incombination with pedal mechanism for effecting the mechanical operationof the closure lid, the closure lid being readily separable from thepedal mechanism and also from the refuse bin.

According to the invention a pedal mechanism for a refuse bin having aclosure lid for the open end of the bin, the pedal mechanism beingoperable to move said lid from the closed to the open position andcomprising a pedal and linkage for operatively coupling the pedal to theclosure lid and releasable connecting means for connecting the linkageto the closure lid so as to be readily detachable to permit separationof the container and pedal mechanism. Advantageously releasable meansare also provided for connecting the pedal mechanism to the container torestrain displacement of the pedal mechanism relative to the containerparticularly during operation of the pedal to move the closure lid tothe open position.

The movement of the closure lid between the open and closed positionscan be caused by effecting pivotal movement of the lid, the closure lidbeing pivotally mounted for example so that the same is raised uponactuation of the pedal mechanism. The pivotal mounting of the closurelid on the refuse bin can be such that it is possible to remove theclosure lid completely from the refuse bin simply by lifting the sametherefrom, the closure lid being also readily detachable from the pedalmechanism. The pivotal mounting for the lid can be provided in a simplemanner by forming the closure lid and the open end of the refuse binWith interengaging parts which cooperate to provide a fulcrum aboutwhich the closure lid can pivot.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examplewith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the pedal mechanism according toone embodiment of the invention in combination with a refuse bin, theclosure lid being shown in the raised or open position.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary section on the line II-II in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary section on the line III-III in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG- URE 3 but showing analternative attachment of the pedal to the refuse bin and a modifiedform of coupling rod connecting the pedal to the closure lid,

FIGURE 5 is a view as seen in the direction of the arrows VV in FIGURE4,

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an alternativearrangement of connecting the push rod of the pedal mechanism to theclosure lid,

FIGURES 7 and 8 each show a closure lid in section, both figures showingclosure lid constructions alternative to that shown in FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view in section showing a modification to theconstruction of the container.

Referring to the drawings, particularly FIGURES l, 2 and 3, the pedalmechanism indicated generally by reference numeral 1 is shown incombination with a refuse bin indicated generally by reference numeral2. The refuse bin 2 consists of a container 3 of frustoconical form, theend of larger diameter providing the upper or open end, the smallerdiameter end providing the base. The base has a surrounding flange 4which provides clearance be tween the base and the floor, the open endhaving a beaded rim 5, an annular groove 6 being formed in the externalperiphery of the container disposed a short distance below the beadedrim.

The container has a dished closure lid 7 which is circular in plan formthe peripheral edge 8 of the lid being formed to provide a surroundingchannel 9 which is inverted so that it receives the beaded rim 5 of thecontainer when the closure lid is in the lowered or closed position. Theclosure lid is raised from the lowered position to the open position bypivoting the same about the beaded rim by the pedal mechanism which isadapted to be located adjacent the container and connected thereto in amanner which permits readily the separation of the container and pedalmechanism, the said mechanism incorporating a pedal which can bedepressed by foot, the pedal being connected by a linkage to the closurelid in such manner that as the pedal is depressed the closure lid swingsupwardly, the closure lid swinging downwardly to the closed position asthe pressure on the pedal is released.

The pedal mechanism 1 consists of a pedal 10 and a pull rod 11 which ispivotally connected by one end, referred to as the lower end to thepedal adjacent one end thereof. The pedal is of U section and the pullrod is pivotally connected thereto by forming the lower end of the pullrod with a portion 12 extending at right angles to the rod the portion12 passing through aligned holes in the oppositely disposed sides 13 ofthe pedal. At its opposite end the pedal 10 is formed to provide achannel 14 which extends across the width of the pedal, the open side ofthe channel being upwards, the underside of the channel forming a rib 15which projects below the undersurface of the pedal. The pedal mechanismis assembled in position by inserting the flange 4 around the base ofthe container 3 in the channel 14 of the pedal, the rib 15 resting onthe floor, the upper end of the pull rod being attached to 2. lug 16which extends radially outwards from the closure lid and is securedthereto. For this purpose the lug 16 has a slot 17 which extendsinwardly from one edge thereof, the slot terminating at its inner end ina circular aperture 18 to receive a ball 19 fixed to the upper end ofthe pull rod. The pull rod 11 is connected to the lug 16 by passing therod 11 through the slot 17 and into the circular aperture, the ballforming an abutment which bears on the lug. The effective length of thepull rod 11 is such that when the pedal mechanism is installed the pedalextends upwardly at an angle to the floor, the closure lid being in theclosed position. As the pedal 10 is depressed the pull rod 11 movesdownwardly, the movement resulting in an upward swinging movement of thelid such movement being transmitted to the lid through the lug 16. Therib 15 on the pedal provides a fulcrum for the pedal, the portion of thebeaded rim of the container in the region of the lug 16 providing afulcrum for the swinging movement of the lid, the peripheral portion ofthe closure lid in the region of the lug entering the annular groove 6in the container. When the pressure on the pedal is released the closurelid can return to the closed position by gravity. During operation ofthe pedal dislodging of the pedal relative to the container andconsequently displacement of the rib forming the fulcrum also relativeto the container is restricted by the engagement of the flange 4- aroundthe container base in the channel 14 of the pedal.

To prevent the closure lid from becoming accidentally detached from thecontainer as the said lid is raised, stop means are provided on theinner surface of the lid, the stop means cooperating with the beaded rimof the container to prevent the closure lid from falling away. The stopmeans consist simply of a bracket 20 on the underside of the closurelid, the bracket extending radially beneath the lug 16 to which the pullrod 11 is attached, the outer end of the bracket extending partiallyacross the open side of the inverted channel 9 of the closure lid 7. Theprojecting outer radial end of the bracket engages the adjacent part ofthe beaded rim 5 of the container 3 should the closure lid tend to fallaway.

FIGURES 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings show an alternativearrangement for the attachment of the pedal 10 to the container and alsoan alternative arrangement for the pull rod. The pedal 10 is reversed,so that the open side of the channel 14 faces downwardly, the flange 4around the container base having a slot 21 to receive the channel 14,the lower edge of the slot 21 providing a fulcrum about which the pedalcan pivot. This particular arrangement has the advantage that as thepedal 10 is supported out of contact with the ground or floor, therefuse bin can stand on an uneven surface without the pedal becomingaccidentally detached from the flange 4. It will be appreciated that theslot 21 and/or the channel end of the pedal 10 are dimensioned so thatthe pedal can readily be attached or separated from the container. Asshown most clearly in FIGURE 5, the lower end of the pull rod 11 isformed so that the said lower end is substantially immediately beneaththe lug 16 and not offset to one side thereof as in FIGURE 1. With thisarrangement the length of the pedal is such that sufficient clearance isprovided between the side of the container 3 and the pull rod 11 topermit the users foot to engage the pedal, the pedal being operable byeither foot.

FIGURE 6 shows an alternative arrangement for coupling the pull rod 11to the lug 16 on the closure lid 7.

In this arrangement the upper end of the pull rod 11 is formed as an eye22, the radially outer end of the lug being formed as a book 23 in whichthe eye is engageable. This construction has the advantage of reducingor eliminating the possibility of the closure lid overbalancing so as tobecome detached from the container, the engagement between the hook andeye preventing the lug from riding freely down the pull rod should thepedal be moved too rapidly downwards for example if the same is stampedon.

In the alternative construction of closure lid shown in FIGURE 7 of thedrawings, the stop means cooperating with the beaded rim 5 of thecontainer to restrain the closure lid from falling away is provided byforming the inner peripheral edge of the channel 9 as a lip 24 whichextends for a predetermined circumferential portion of the said edge andin the region of the lug 16. In the further alternative constructionshown in FIGURE 8 of the drawings the channel 9 is dispensed with thestop means being provided by a U section member 25 which is disposed inthe interior of the lid so as to be positioned beneath the lug 16.

In the modified construction shown in FIGURE 9 of the drawings theportion of the container between the beaded rim 5 and the annular groove6 is curved outwardly so providing an annular recess 26 the length ofthe bracket 20 being such that when the lid 7 is in the closed positionan end portion of the bracket extends into the annular recess beneathand radially outwards of the beaded rim 5. The increased length ofbracket 20 permitted by this construction still further reduces thepossibility of the closure lid falling away should the lid be caused toopen rapidly by vigorous operation of the pedal mechanism.

The container and closure lid can be made of the same or differentmaterials. For example both can be made from plastics or metal or onecan be of plastics the other being metal. Further, both the lug and thebracket of the closure lid can be formed integral with the lid or one orboth may be made separately and subsequently attached thereto.

The pedal mechanism of the present invention can be used in conjunctionwith the larger refuse bin such as dustbins as well as with the smallerforms of refuse bins for indoor use. It also provides the advantage thatit is unnecessary to provide both an outer casing to receive an innercontainer for the refuse. The pedal mechanism and if desired also theclosure lid, can readily be removed thus permitting the refuse bin to becarried away for emptying. The closure lid may also be left in positiononly the pedal mechanism being removed. Further, should either the pedalmechanism, closure lid or container be damaged so as to be unfit forfurther use the same can be replaced separately. The container can alsobe of any desired shape other than of circular plan form.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for storing refuse comprising a bin and a closure lidfreely mounted over the open end of said bin, a pedal pivotally mountedto the lower end of said bin, and a pull rod connected at one end tosaid pedal and at the other end to said closure lid and responsive topivotal movement of said pedal to move the closure lid to and from aclosure position, said lid and said bin open end comprising respectiveperipheral portions which are mutually cooperatively engaged so as toconstitute a pivot means for said lid, the configuration of saidportions being such that they are freely mutually disengageable pursuantto translational movement of said lid in a particular direction relativeto said bin while said lid is in a particular pivotal position thereof,said portions not being thusly disengageable from each other whilesaid'lid is in any other pivotal position thereof, said pedal beingfreely detachable from said bin pursuant to translational movementthereof in a particular direction relative to said bin.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pull rod is quickdetachably connected to said pedal and to said closure lid in that saidrod is freely disengageable from said lid and from said pedal throughrelative displacement of the rod relative to the lid and pedal inrespective particular directions.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said closure lid isadapted for pivotal movement with respect to said bin upon operation ofthe pedal mechanism to move said lid to and from the closure position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said closure lid has achannel formed therein to receive at least a circumferential portion ofthe peripheral rim of the open end of said bin to provide a fulcrumabout which the closure lid can pivot.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said channel extendscompletely around said closure lid.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said channel extends foronly a portion of the circumferential length of the closure lid.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising stop means forlimiting the movement of said closure lid to restrain same from fallingaway from said bin when actuated by said pedal mechanism.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said stop means comprisesa bracket secured to the interior of said closure lid so as to extendtowards the peripheral edge thereof, an outer end portion of saidbracket cooperating with the rim of said bin.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said bin has an annularrecess and said bracket is of such length that when said closure lid isin the closed position, an outer end portion of said bracket extendsinto said annular recess so as to be beneath and outward of theperipheral rim of the open end of said bin.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bin has aperipheral groove adapted to receive an edge of the closure lid whensaid lid is in the open position.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lugprojecting outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of said closure lid, theouter end of said lug having an aperture to receive the correspondingend of said pull rod.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the outer end of saidlug is of hook formation to engage an eye at the appropriate end of saidpull rod.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bin has acircumferential flange extending around its lower end, said pedal havinga transverse channel formed at one end thereof, the open side of saidtransverse channel receiving said flange.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the refuse bin isprovided with a slot to receive a transverse channel formed on an end ofsaid pedal, the pedal being arranged with the open side of said channelfacing downwardly so that the lower edge of said slot provides a fulcrumfor said pedal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,251,984 1/1918 Losoncy 248l471,828,741 10/1931 Le Sauvage 22036 2,419,163 4/1947 Pope 220-36 JAMES B.MARBERT, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 248-147

